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Polestar Polestar 3Model year report

2025 Polestar Polestar 3 Problems

Compared with other Polestar Polestar 3 years

Too new to compare

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
79filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
745miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center almost entirely on electronics: most owners describe the onboard AC charger failing, leaving the car able to charge only on DC fast chargers. A second group covers camera and display software behavior and false or missing driver-assist alerts, and several owners report dead 12-volt batteries or high-voltage converter faults that left the car unresponsive.

  1. Electrical system

    AC charging failure (onboard charger)

    • 33 complaints (42%)
    • typically at 0.6 yrs old
    • filed 2025–2026

    Owners describe the car refusing to charge from level 1 or level 2 AC equipment — home wall units and public AC stations — while DC fast charging still works. Several say the dealer confirmed the onboard charger (referred to in service communication as the GHCA) needed replacement, that parts were on back order for weeks, and that the fault returned after replacement, in some cases more than once. Some report a warning message such as an AC charging fault or charging not possible, and one describes a loud pop from the charging equipment when it happened. Reported from the first home charge through several thousand miles, often shortly after delivery.

    Recall 25V4530004 related service bulletins

    What to check: Before buying, ask for the service history on the charging module and confirm whether AC charging works at a level 2 station during a test drive. If you own one, keep the DC fast-charge fallback in mind and report repeated failures to the dealer in writing.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have had the vehicle for 4 months with no charging issues. All of a sudden the other day, my car would not charge at home AC 14-50 outlet using the Polestar supplied cable at 48 amp max setting to achieve the 9-11 kW charging rate. I lowered the max amp to 15, and the car started charging at a very slow rate of 3 kW. I also tried plugging my car into a slow Chargepoint AC charger and it would not charge at all. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11647969, filed 2025-03

    “The vehicle simply will not charge at any AC plug. At home I have a Type2-AC charger and the car vails to charge, at work I have access to a similar Type2-AC charge, that too fails to charge. The car will only charge at DC fast chargers and those are few and far between.”

    NHTSA complaint #11650300, filed 2025-03
  2. Forward collision avoidance

    False or missing driver-assist and safety-system alerts

    • 13 complaints (16%)
    • median 745 mi at 1.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2025–2026

    Complaints describe automatic emergency braking engaging when no obstacle was in the path — at intersections, on curves with oncoming traffic, and on highway exits — with the seat belt tensioners also firing in one case. Owners also report repeated messages that safety systems are unavailable, warning lights that persist, and lane-keeping steering intervention that continued after being switched off. Dealers are described as unable to reproduce the events or finding no stored codes. Reported at low mileage in everyday driving, on curves, at intersections, and during parking maneuvers.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether any driver-assist software updates have been applied, and test the lane-keeping and forward-collision settings on a quiet road to see whether the assistance can be turned off and stays off as expected.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The malfunction I experienced involved the vehicle's electronic safety system, which caused the brake to apply suddenly and without my input. The service center was UNABLE TO DUPLICATE the specific fault during their inspection and found NO CODES STORED, noting that the problem was intermittent and not verifiable by the technician. The car is, however, available for inspection. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11700146, filed 2025-11

    “I was driving south on the Palisades Interstate Parkway and started to exit at Exit 9E when the automatic emergency brake engaged and the seat belt tensioners engaged. There were no vehicles in front of me or very close to me. The stop was jarring. There was no apparent reason for this to happen.”

    NHTSA complaint #11766318, filed 2026-09
  3. Electrical system

    Displays going black and repeated system faults

    • 22 complaints (28%)
    • typically at 0.8 yrs old
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2025–2026

    Owners describe the driver display or center screen going black while driving, sometimes leaving speed and other readings unavailable until a reset, and repeated critical warning messages — suspension fault, propulsion fault, SOS failure — that clear on the next start. Others report that the vehicle was unresponsive to keys and the app and had to be jumped or towed, and that software updates and resets at service visits did not resolve the pattern. Reported mostly within the first months of ownership at low mileage, sometimes while driving at speed.

    Recall 24V9400006 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask the dealer which software version is installed and whether the central computer upgrade and charging-related service actions were completed. Test that the screens, keys, and app connection all work before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After being away for a couple days the car has been completely unresponsive. I can not access the car and doors will not open. The car had to be towed and seems to be an issue with electrical powertrain such as 12V battery that is dying for some reason. This should not be the case as car was driven before hand and should have recharged the 12V battery. This is very concerning as this can leave you trapped and have to access to the car while traveling. Please investigate as I've seen many issues with this car.”

    NHTSA complaint #11664905, filed 2025-06

    “Since taking delivery of the vehicle, multiple electronic and computer-related systems have failed or malfunctioned. Initial issues included unreliable phone synchronization, dropped phone calls, and failure of the driver memory profile system, including seat and side mirror memory settings. Over time, the problems have become more serious and now involve safety-related systems. The vehicle intermittently displays SOS system failure warnings. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11745934, filed 2026-06
  4. Back-over prevention (rear camera)

    Rear camera does not return after shifting out of reverse

    • 6 complaints (8%)
    • typically at 0.3 yrs old
    • filed 2025

    Owners describe putting the car in reverse, then drive, then reverse again — as when parking or maneuvering — and finding that the rear camera view no longer appears, with only the overhead surround view shown. They say the rear view can only be brought back by touching the screen several times, and that it happens consistently rather than intermittently. Reported at low mileage during parking and maneuvering in lots and driveways.

    Recall 25V293000

    What to check: During a test drive, shift reverse-drive-reverse in a parking lot and confirm the rear camera view returns each time; ask whether the rear visibility recall (25V293000) has been applied.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Activation and persistence of the rearview camera. This situation occurs when selecting reverse, drive and then reverse again in short order (i.e. parallel parking, maneuvering to get into our garage with a narrow driveway and tight turn). When I initially select Reverse, the center display shows both the 360 view and the reverse camera - perfect. When I select Drive to move forward a couple of feet and realign the car, the display switches to show just the 360 view - makes sense. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11643197, filed 2025-02

    “There is a documented bug with Polestar. If you shift the car into reverse, the rear camera comes on (point back, like it should). If you shift out of reverse, and back into reverse, the camera defaults to an overhead view. With this view it is very difficult to see what is behind you. This happens 100% of the time...it is not a sometimes happens bug.”

    NHTSA complaint #11658534, filed 2025-05
  5. Fuel system

    High-voltage system faults and loss of power or 12-volt

    • 10 complaints (13%)
    • typically at 1.1 yrs old
    • filed 2025–2026

    Some owners report the car losing power without warning at highway speed, followed by loss of the entire electrical system including hazard lights, and diagnosis of a failed high-voltage converter module. Others describe the car losing battery charge while parked, and one reports a charging interruption that tripped a household breaker. Reported at low mileage, with some events occurring during highway driving and others while the car was parked.

    Recall 24V9400001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the high-voltage converter recall (24V940000) has been completed, and note the state of charge over a few days of parking to see whether the battery drains noticeably.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The vehicle loses 2-3% battery a day, while parked. I've communicated with several Polestars reps, from service technicians, corporate support, etc. and no one can offer a fix. Since leasing the vehicle I've estimated I've lost the equivalent of 540% of battery over six months while the vehicle was parked.”

    NHTSA complaint #11670008, filed 2025-06

    “Vehicle suddenly lost power with no warning on a busy four-lane highway. Despite the obvious crash possibility, I was luckily able to move to the shoulder, but the entire electrical system soon went out. Emergency flashers quit working, making a rear-end collision more likely . It was a hot sunny day but the a/c and even the windows wouldn’t operate and we ran out of water before the tow truck arrived; heat stroke was a real possibility. The car was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the problem as failure of the High Low Control Module (HLCM). …”

    NHTSA complaint #11674724, filed 2025-07

Buying note. This is a very recent model year with most complaints filed in the first months of ownership, so the records say more about early build and software issues than about long-term durability. Ask for the full service history and confirmation that open recalls and software campaigns were completed before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 79 consumer complaints for the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3. 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 745 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 126 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (3), Air bags (2), Exterior lighting (2), Lane departure (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Previous on board charger (GHCA) failed and was replaced in January of 2026. In February I noticed the car was charging slowly on a 48A home charger (car showed 5.4kw at 22A). I unplugged the charger, waited a minute, and plugged it back in. The car then reinitialized charging and showed 11kw at 48A. The car then started making audible electrical crackling noises. I have a video in which you can hear the crackling. Is this a fire hazard?”

NHTSA complaint #11720192, filed 2026-02

Forward collision avoidance: “On a curvy, 2-lane road, moderate traffic both ways, my vehicle performed unnecessary emergency braking for on oncoming vehicle while negotiating an “S” curve. There was no vehicle in my lane in front of me, the oncoming vehicle was squarely in its lane, I was in my lane, both of us had several cars following behind. But we had both just passed the apex of our respective curves and were approaching each other in the “middle” of the “S”. …”

NHTSA complaint #11640090, filed 2025-02

Fuel system: “Our vehicle will not charge using our home charging system, even though Polestar’s loaner vehicles charge without issue. We took delivery of the Polestar in early January, but it has spent nearly half the time since then at the service center.”

NHTSA complaint #11646040, filed 2025-03

Back-over prevention (rear camera): “The issue is with the displaying of the rear view camera. When I put the car in reverse the rear view camera displays on the bottom of the screen and the 360 view at the top of the screen as it should. But if I then put the car in drive (like when parallel parking) the display changes to show just the 360 view. Then when I put the car back in reverse only the 360 degree view is shown the reverse camera view is not displayed as required. The only way to get the reverse camera view to display is to tap the screen and click on the Rear view options to get the rear view to display. …”

NHTSA complaint #11634052, filed 2025-01

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 745 and 745 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 745 miles.

Complaints by year filed

This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

2025592026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 126 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 126 bulletins →

Other model years of the Polestar Polestar 3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025797456——Too new to compareToo new

All Polestar Polestar 3 model years

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3?

Complaints on this model year center almost entirely on electronics: most owners describe the onboard AC charger failing, leaving the car able to charge only on DC fast chargers. The issues reported most often: AC charging failure (onboard charger); False or missing driver-assist and safety-system alerts; Displays going black and repeated system faults.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 have?

NHTSA recorded 79 consumer complaints for the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 49 complaints (62% of the total), followed by forward collision avoidance with 11.

Has the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 745 miles and the middle half falls between 745 and 745 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.